Stainless Steel 1.4446
EN 1.4446 · ASTM A351 CF3MN
1.4446 (GX2CrNiMoN17-13-4) is a nitrogen-strengthened, low-carbon cast Cr-Ni-Mo austenitic stainless steel, the EN counterpart of ASTM A351 CF3MN.
Reference datasheet — 1.4446 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the SA condition
1.4446 tempers and conditions
1.4446 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. SA is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SADefault Solution annealed 1050–1150 °C, water quenched | Standard delivery condition required by EN 10213 / ASTM A351 — maximum corrosion resistance and toughness. | 300 | 560 | 45 | 170 HB | — |
Hot isostatically pressed, then solution annealed and quenched | Pick when internal shrinkage porosity must be closed for pressure-boundary, cryogenic or fatigue-critical castings. | 310 | 580 | 52 | 175 HB | 2 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed | Non-standard for pressure service; only for non-corrosive, non-code parts since Cr-rich phases and residual stresses remain. | 310 | 540 | 30 | 185 HB | 2 % IACS |
Centrifugally cast tube/ring, solution annealed | Use for pipe, sleeves and rings where the denser, finer centrifugal structure gives slightly higher strength than static castings. | 320 | 590 | 42 | 180 HB | 2 % IACS |
What is 1.4446?
1.4446 (GX2CrNiMoN17-13-4) is a nitrogen-strengthened, low-carbon cast Cr-Ni-Mo austenitic stainless steel, the EN counterpart of ASTM A351 CF3MN. Nitrogen lifts yield to about 300 MPa with 560 MPa tensile, 45 % elongation and 170 HB (87 HRB), while the low carbon keeps as-welded intergranular corrosion resistance so no post-weld anneal is needed for corrosion. It is sand, investment or centrifugally cast for pressure-retaining valve and pump bodies, always solution treated at 1050–1150 °C and water quenched. Service is limited to 550 °C; plain CF3M (1.4409) is the lower-strength alternative. 1.4446 has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F). 1.4446 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
What is 1.4446 used for?
- high-strength valve bodies
- offshore pump casings
- cryogenic components
Advantages
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 76% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.4 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2 % IACS, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
1.4446 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4446-SA; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4446 has a density of 7.95 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).
Mechanical16
1.4446 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4446 is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 14 W/m·K (8.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4446 conducts electricity at 2 % IACS, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 73% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4446 takes about 57 MJ of energy and emits 6.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 62% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
1.4446's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 1.4446 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.4446
Is 1.4446 easy to machine?
Machine like 316L but with more rigidity: sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed to cut under the work-hardened skin, 60–100 m/min with flood emulsion.
Can 1.4446 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/SMAW using 316L or 309MoL fillers; no post-weld heat treatment needed for corrosion, keep interpass below ~150 °C and heat input low to limit ferrite/σ.
Can 1.4446 be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by sand, investment or centrifugal casting; long freezing range needs generous risering and chills, followed by mandatory 1050–1150 °C solution + water quench.
1.4446 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Clow-carbon for intergranular corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16.5 – 18.5 | 17.5 |
| Ni | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| MoASTM CF3MN counterpart is leaner (2.0–3.0 % Mo) | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Nsolid-solution strengthening + pitting resistance | 0.12 – 0.22 | 0.17 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.4446?
Pickle and passivate (HNO3/HF) after casting and welding to restore the passive film; can be shot-blasted, electropolished or mechanically polished, no anodizing.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 1.4446 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A351 CF3MN
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- GX2CrNiMoN17-13-4
How much does 1.4446 cost?
1.4446 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1.4446 — frequently asked
What is 1.4446 used for?
1.4446 is typically used for high-strength valve bodies, offshore pump casings and cryogenic components. In short: strongest low-carbon cast 316 type; nitrogen-strengthened CF3MN.
What is the yield strength of 1.4446?
1.4446 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 1.4446 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Machine like 316L but with more rigidity: sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed to cut under the work-hardened skin, 60–100 m/min with flood emulsion.
Can 1.4446 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent with GTAW/SMAW using 316L or 309MoL fillers; no post-weld heat treatment needed for corrosion, keep interpass below ~150 °C and heat input low to limit ferrite/σ.
What surface finishes work on 1.4446?
Pickle and passivate (HNO3/HF) after casting and welding to restore the passive film; can be shot-blasted, electropolished or mechanically polished, no anodizing.
Can 1.4446 be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by sand, investment or centrifugal casting; long freezing range needs generous risering and chills, followed by mandatory 1050–1150 °C solution + water quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4446?
1.4446 is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.4446-SA and 1.4446 CENT-SA?
SA is the default condition — standard delivery condition required by EN 10213 / ASTM A351 — maximum corrosion resistance and toughness. CENT-SA: use for pipe, sleeves and rings where the denser, finer centrifugal structure gives slightly higher strength than static castings. Yield strength is 300 MPa in SA versus 320 MPa in CENT-SA.
How much does 1.4446 cost?
1.4446 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10213 — Steel castings for pressure purposes — CEN (2016)
- ASTM A351/A351M — Castings, Austenitic, for Pressure-Containing Parts — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A451/A451M — Centrifugally Cast Austenitic Steel Pipe — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (cast stainless) — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook — Steel Founders' Society of America (1995)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.